Which Bike Carrier Should I Use For Bikes With A Large Frame

Question:

I have a Rola bike rack and I need to replace the cradle because the frame of my bike doesnt fit because the area to place the bike is too small. I was thinking I could use another cradle and their straps from another brands hanging bike rack with the same diameter. The diameter of the arm of Rola is 1 1/4 can you tell me what cradles you sell have that diameter, and I need the straps to go with it. I need 2 cradles.

asked by: Debbie N

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but we do not have any large straps or cradles to accommodate a large bike frame on the Rola bike racks. I highly recommend going with a different bike rack that can safely hold your large-framed bike.

If you want a 4-bike carrier then I would look into the Curt 4 Bike Platform Rack - 2" Hitches # C18087. This 4-bike rack uses a padded hook to ratchet down onto the bike frame. The weight capacity is 45lbs per bike. If you plan to haul women's, children's, or full suspension bikes then use Adapter Bar # UB01 which will allow any frame-design bike to be tightly secured to the Curt bike rack. If you have a 1-1/4" hitch receiver then you are limited to a 2-bike carrier due to weight capacity of the hitch receiver.

For a 2-bike carrier I'd go with Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack # S64683 which works with 1-1/4" and 2" hitches. The weight capacity is 45lbs per bike. Like the bike rack mentioned above, this bike rack uses a padded hook to clamp down onto the bike frames. For children's, women's, or full-suspension bikes you will likely need Adapter Bar # UB01. I have attached demonstration videos for these products.

expert reply by: Andrew N